Tobacco forming machine and guard therefor



May 19, 1942; 1.. SWINFORD TOBACCO FORMING MACHINE AND GUARD" THEREFOR Filed Dec. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. SWINFORD TOBACCO'FORMING MACHINE AND GUARDFTHEREFOR May 19, 1942.

Filed Dec. 25, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Elma/WM Patented May 19, 1942 TOBACCO FORMING MACHINE AND GUARD THEREFOR Leo Swinford, Richmond, Va., assignor to Richmond Maury, Richmond, Va., as trustee Application December 23, 1940, Serial No. 371,458

10 Claims.

of the molds of a turret type machine of the character described, these guard members have been so disposed that instead of preventing the fingers of the operator from being caught in the revolving turret, they have tended in some instances to prevent the operator from removing her fingers, and thus have occasioned serious accidents.

It may be understood a turret type cigar forming machine which is adapted to be manually loaded, includes a zone wherein the molds are uncovered for a considerable period during the ratation of the turret so that the cigar bunches which have been previously roughly formed, may be placed in the molds. This operation is generally performed manually, and if the turret is operating at a speed which is a little excessive for the particular operator, there is a tendency for the operator to attempt to insert the cigar bunches in molds which have really passed out of the loading zone and entered into a zone where a male member is forcibly fed in telescoping fashion upon the open molds carried by the turret.

Inasmuch as the male member which is adapted to compress and shape the bunches carried by the open molds, is usually forcibly compressed by plunger action upon the molds, it is obvious that if the fingers of the operator are not removed prior to this action, they will be subjected to the action of the forcibly driven plunger and a serious accident will occur.

A stationary guard member covering a portion of the molds has not proven to be satisfactory inasmuch as the operators fingers in actual practice, were sometimes caught between the stationary guard and the revolving turret carried under the plunger by the turret,

Other forms of guard members have also proven to be unsatisfactory inasmuch as they did not easily allow the removal of the operators fingers, and were subject to the same disadvantages as the stationary guard member.

It is one of the objects of the present invention, therefore, to provide a guard member which is adapted to cover certain molds of a turret type tobacco forming machine in order to prevent the operator from loading these molds; and prevent attendant dangers resulting therefrom.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a guard member for a turret type tobacco forming machine which is closely positioned relative to the surface of the molds carried, by the turret and yet is definitely spaced therefrom.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a covering plate or guard member which extends transversely of the turret of a tobacco forming machine and which is urged towards the turret by spring means which may be easily overcome by the operator.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a guard member for a turret type of tobacco forming machine consisting of a pair of hingedly connected plates, one of said plates being mounted in a stationary fashion, and the second of said plates extending at a tangent to the surface of the turret and being spring pressed toward the turret.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a guard member which extends transversely across the turret of a tobacco forming machine'and covers the molds asthey leave the loading zone, said guard member being adjustably spring pressed toward the surface of the turret.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a guard member adapted to cover certain molds carried by the turret of a tobacco forming machine, said guard member being spring pressed towards the turret machine in an amount sufficient to prevent easy displacement thereof, but allowing the displacement thereof by the operator.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description of the figures of the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a'portion of a turret type tobacco forming machine including a guard member. 7

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig, 1. 1

Fig. 4 is a detail of a movable guard member.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section of a guard member.

Fig. 6 is a disassembled view of the guard member.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of the spring tensioning adjusting means.

Referring to Fig. 1, a portion of a turret type cigar making machine is indicated in general by the reference numeral Hi. The machine includes a pair of stationary side cover members H and I2 and a revolving turret l3 provided with molds I4. The turret is adapted to rotate in a manner, well known in the art, in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, and during the rotation the molds l4 pass through a loading zone A where they are uncovered and fed with tobacco bunches, and a compressing zone indicated in general at B.

It is to be understood that as the molds leave the zone A, cooperating male members are telescopically positioned over the open molds I4 and are forced into the molds by a suitable power driven plunger. 7

Inasmuch, however, as the male portions of the molds and the plunger for compressing the tobacco within the molds are well known in the art, and form no part of the present invention, the corresponding male members and plunger mechanism etc. have not been illustrated in the drawings.

It is to be understood, however, that the guard member indicated in general at I5 is positioned on the machine between the loading zone A and the compressing zone B, and that the function of the guard member is to cover certain of the molds I4 just leaving the loading zone so that the operator is unable to place the tobacco bunches in these latter molds.

In Fig. 2, a stationary portion of the machine is indicated at I6. Extending transversely from the stationary portion I6 is an elongated rod I! which passes across the front of the turret at a distance therefrom and above the center thereof. Extending from the rod I'I toward the turret are a pair of brackets I8 and I9 provided at their rearward end with split hubs 20 and 2I respectively whichare mounted about the rod I1 and tightened thereon by the bolts 22 and 23.

The guard proper consists of a stationary horizontal plate 24 fastened to the forward portions of the brackets I8 and I9 by the bolts 25 and 26.

As shown in Fig. l, the stationary plate 24 extends from the bracket toward the turret I3, and it may be noted that the bolts 25 and 26 pass through slots 21 and 28 in the plate 24 so that the plate may be moved toward or away from the turret.

As shown in Fig. 6, the plate 24 is provided with a cut-out portion 29 of a somewhat greater width than the turret I3, and with rolled over portions 30 and 3I which are adapted to receive a pivot rod 32. Cooperating with the rolled over portions 30 and 3| are rolled over and hinged portions 32 and 33 formed on an upper guard member or plate 34.

As shown in Fig. 4, the portions 32 and 33 form a continuous bore for the reception of the rod 32 with the exception of an open section 35 which is adapted to receive a helical spring 36.

The rod 32, as shown in the drawing, is provided with a slot portion 3'! at one end which is adapted to receive an end 38 of the spring 36, and the other end of the spring 36 is extended at 39, and is adapted to bear against the surface of the plate 34, as shown in Fig. 5.

It is to be understood that the spring 36 is so normally tensioned that it tends to rotate the plate 34 about the rod 32 in a counter-clockwise direction or, in other words, toward the turret I3, as shown in Fig. 1. The end 38 of the spring is normally anchored by the slot 31 of the rod 32, and the right-hand end of the rod 32 is provided with a transversely extending pin 46 which is normally positioned underneath the plate 24 as shown in dotted line position in Fig. '7.

The tension of the spring 36 urging the plate 34 in a counter-clockwise direction may be varied by shifting the rod 32 to a point where the pin 40 is drawn from underneath the plate 24 as shown in Fig. '7, and by turning the pin in the direction of the arrow 4|.

As may be understood, movement of the pin 40 in the direction of the arrow will similarly move the rod 32 and the anchored end 38 of the spring, and when the pin 40 is then pushed back underneath the plate 24, increased pressure will be exerted upon the plate 34. Preferably, the spring is tensioned sufiiciently so that the plate 34 is urged in a counter-clockwise direction in an amount which may be easily manually overcome.

It will be noted that the forward side of the plate 34 is provided with a pair of forwardly extending portions 42 and 43 which are adapted to bear against the stationary cover members II and I2, and are rounded to conform to the shape of each of the cover members as indicated at 44.

The function of the portion 42 is to prevent plate 34 from contacting the moving turret I3, and desirably the portion 42 is so proportioned that the plate 34 is spaced sufiiciently from the open brackets of the molds I4 so that it does not remove any tobacco therefrom.

It will be noted that the forward edge of the guard 34 is bent rearwardly as indicated at 45 in Fig. 5. The guard plate 34 is thus shaped so that in the event a stray portion of tobacco extends outwardly from the bunch in the molds I4, it will be forced underneath the guard member by the slanting portion 45. During the operation of the turret machine, it is to be understood that the molds I4 within the loading zone are being filled with bunches, and if the operator attempts to fill the molds I4 too close to the forward edge 45 of the guard member 34, her fingers will come in contact with the guard member. Even if her fingers are pulled under the guard member by the rotating turret, the force of the spring 36 may be easily overcome and the plate 34 rotated in a clockwise direction to release the fingers. Desirably, of course, the spring 36 is so adjusted that the guard plate 34 is not easily rotated, as otherwise there would be too great a temptation to lift the plate and fill the mold underneath the plate.

It is understood, however, that the spring 36 may be given any desirable tension, as previously pointed out, by pulling the rod 32 out so that the pin 40 on the rod may be rotated, as shown in Fig. 7.

What is claimed, is:

1. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, a stationary guard member extending transversely of the turret and successively covering certain selected molds, spring means urging said guard member toward the molds and means to space the guard member from the molds.

2. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, certain of said molds being continuously passed through a loading zone and thereafter through a compacting zone, a stationary guard member extending transversely of the turret and covering said molds successively as they pass from the loading zone while leaving said molds uncovered in said loading zone to the compacting zone, means urging said guard member towards the turret and molds, and means to space the guard member from the molds.

3. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, certain of said molds being continuously passed through a loading zone and thereafter through a compacting zone, a stationary cover member for a side of said turret, a stationary guard member positioned to successively cover the molds as they leave the loading zone and leaving said molds uncovered in said loading zone, means urging said guard member toward the molds and turret and means bearing on the stationary cover member to space the guard member from the molds.

4. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, certain of said molds being continuously passed through a loading zone and thereafter through a compacting zone, stationary cover members on each side of said turret, a transversely extending plate-like guard member extending transversely of the turret and tangentially relative thereto and portions extending from said guard member at each side of said turret, said portions bearing on said stationary cover members to space the guard from the turret and molds, said guard member being positioned to successively cover said molds as they pass from the loading zone and leave the molds uncovered in said loading zone.

5. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, certain of said molds being continuously passed through a loading zone and thereafter through a compacting zone, a guard support extending transversely in spaced relationship to said turret, a substantially horizontally disposed plate carried by said support, a second plate hinged to said first plate and extending at an angle thereto and in substantially tangential re ,lation to said turret, said second plate being adapted to cover said molds as they leave the loading zone, spring means bearing on said first plate and urging said second plate toward the molds and turret and means to space said first plate from the molds.

6. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, certain of said molds being continuously passed through a loading zone and thereafter through a compacting zone, a stationary cover member for a side of said turret, a guard support extending transversely in spaced relationship to said turret, a substantially horizontally disposed plate carried by said support, a second plate hinged to said first plate and extending at an angle thereto and in substantially tangential relation to said turret, said second plate being adapted to cover said molds as they pass from the loading zone, spring means bearing on said first plate and urging said second plate toward the molds and turret and means bearing on the stationary cover member to space the guard member from the molds.

. 7. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, certain of said molds being continu-' ously passed through a loading zone and thereafter through a compacting zone, a guard support extending transversely in spaced relationship to said turret, a substantially horizontally disposed plate carried by said support, rolled hinged segments extending from said plate, a second plate adapted to cover said molds as they leave the loading zone and having rolled hinged segments in alinement with said segments on the first plate, a rod extending through the segments of both plates and adapted to anchor one end of a spring bearing against the second plate at its other end, said spring being adapted to urge said second plate towards said molds, means to prevent rotation of said rod and means to space said second plate from said molds.

8. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, certain of said molds being continuously passed through a loading zone and thereafter through a compacting zone, a guard support extending transversely in spaced relationship to said turret, a substantially horizontally disposed plate carried by said support, rolled hinged segments extending from said plate, a second plate adapted to cover said molds as they leave the loading zone and having rolled hinged segments in alinement with said segments on the first plate, a rod extending through the segments of both plates and adapted to anchor one end of a spring bearing against the second plate at its other end, said spring being adapted to urge said second plate towards said molds, and a transversely extending pin on said rod, normally in contact with said, first plate to prevent rotation of said rod, said pin and rod being displaceable relative to said plates to allow manual rotation of said rod to vary the tension of said spring,

9. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, certain of said molds being continuously passed through a loading zone and thereafter through a compacting zone, a stationary cover member for a side of said turret, a guard support extending transversely in spaced relationship to said turret, a substantially horizontally disposed plate carried by said support, rolled hinged segments extending from said plate, a second plate adapted to cover said molds as they leave the loading zone and having rolled hinged segments in alinement with said segments on the first plate, a rod extending through the segments of both plates and adapted to anchor one end of a spring bearing against the second plate at its other end, said spring being adapted to urge said second plate toward said molds, means to prevent rotation of said rod and means extending from said second plate and bearing on the stationary cover member to space the second plate from the molds.

10. In a tobacco forming machine including a revolving turret provided with a plurality of open molds, certain of said molds being continuously passed through a loading zone and thereafter through a compacting zone, a stationary cover member for a side of said turret, a guard support extending transversely in spaced relationship to said turret, a substantially horizontally disposed plate carried by said support, rolled hinged segments extending from said plate, a second plate adapted to cover said molds as they leave the loading zone and having rolled hinged segments in alinement with said segments on the first plate, a rod extending through the segments of both plates and adapted to anchor one end of a spring bearing against the second plate at its other end, said spring being adapted to urge said second plate toward said molds, a transversely extending pin on said rod normally in contact with said first plate to prevent rotation of said rod, said pin and rod being displaceable relative to said plates to allowmanual rotation of said rod to vary the tension of said spring and means extending from said second plate and bearing on the stationary cover memher to space the second plate from the molds.

LEO SWINFORD. 

